Delta's policy?

[graciepooh]

I really appreciate any information on this subject. I started looking at flights three months ago. They just kept going up so last week I bit the bullett and bought six tickets R/T on Delta @286.60 each. This week I looked it up again, bad mistake, Because they are now 266.60 I know thats not a huge deal but it is 120.00 I called the Delta number and between my strong accent and his strong accent I really don't know if I got the right impression on this subject. To make any change Delta is going to charge me 50.00 per ticket? Plus I won't get a refund of the difference, not that there would be one in my current case after the 50.00 fee. But I would get a credit to use on a later flight if there is a credit. Did I understand this correctly? Can they do that? I really feel like I am being punished for purchasing my ticket early. Thanks for any help.

 

[my3kids]

That is correct. $50 to make a change. Delta is actually a lot more lenient only charging $5o; most are $100. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. It generally works in our favor...they don't come asking us for more money when they raise prices.

 

[Fionasmommy]

Yes, unfortunately they can. Very few airlines will refund you if the fare goes down. SW does, but I haven't heard of any others. But, look on the bright side - you have your tickets!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Most airlines, including Delta, will give you a nonrefundable credit if you are able to rebook on the same flight with a lower cost. They will not charge a fee. The credit will be valid for one year.

However, if you ask for a refund, or rebook on a different flight, they will then charge you the change fee.

 

[mouseplanner]

I just called this week myself ad my flight price also went down. I was told the same thing - $50 charge per ticket to re-book and the difference would be given to me in Delta vouchers. Does not seem fair.

 

[phanomouse]

I just got off the phone with Delta because this didn't seem right to me. For as long as I can remember I have received vouchers if I called and requested them if the price decreased after I had purchased them. I was told by a supervisor that if I wanted to "cancel" and rebook on a different flight/time/etc I would be charged the fee. If it was the same flight and I just wanted the difference they would issue the vouchers.

Is the flight the same one you booked? If so just call back and if they tell you that you have to pay the fee then ask to speak with a supervisor.

Good Luck!!!

 

[CarolA]

What part of "non refundable" did you miss? Sorry, but you bought at non-refundable ticket and now you want a refund.. That only works on SW.

he official policy is that ANY changes require a $50 change fee. You may get lucky and get someone to change it, but you may not. Technically they have the right to charge you the fee. And DL like most of the majors is clamping down on "waiving" those fees.

This is the risk you take with a "non refundable" ticket.


From Delta.com

Change Fees
Based on the fare rules, a service fee may apply to change your ticket as well as any additional difference in fare. For travel within the 50 United States, the fee is $50 for Delta flights.

For travel outside the United States, the change fee is typically $200, but can vary based on location and type of fare. Changes are usually permitted only to the return portion of an international itinerary.

 

[CheapMom]

1 thing I learned about Delta's policy is that every customer service person you talk to seems to have a different interpretation of what their policy is.

 

[bicker]

Does not seem fair.

Actually it is, because in order to be able to change tickets without the fee you'd have to pay about $800 instead of $250. In return for that substantial discount offered you by the airline, you're agreeing to commit to the ticket you purchased, or pay a penalty to change it.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

What part of "non refundable" did you miss?

Welcome to the world of frequent travelers. I could pay my mortgage for several months if I had back all the money I paid in Delta change fees last year.

 

[beattyfamily]

Jetblue also does not charge any fees and will give you a credit with them to use within a year.

I could swear I also got a credit with Delta several years ago when prices went down but now I'm wondering after reading this thread.

 

[pyrxtc]

here is Delta's policy.....

Change Fees
Based on the fare rules, a service fee may apply to change your ticket as well as any additional difference in fare. For travel within the 50 United States, the fee is $50 for Delta flights.

For travel outside the United States, the change fee is typically $200, but can vary based on location and type of fare. Changes are usually permitted only to the return portion of an international itinerary.

External Tickets
An additional charge applies if you would like us to change a ticket that we didn't issue. This charge applies to any ticket issued in the United States or Canada by anyone other than us, such as:

A traditional travel agency.
An online travel agency.
Another airline, including SkyTeam and codeshare partners.
The external ticket handling charge does not apply to:

Tickets originally issued by us—Reservation Sales, ticket office, or delta.com.
Involuntary changes like cancellations, delays, or schedule changes.
Tickets issued with military or government fares.
Customers completing a SkyMiles upgrade.
Same-day Confirmed Travel.
The charge is:

Waived if the change can be completed here at delta.com.
$10 / $12 (CAD) for tickets changed through Reservations Sales.
$15 / $17 (CAD) for tickets changed at one of our Ticket Office Locations

 

[Oreo Cookie]

I really appreciate any information on this subject. I started looking at flights three months ago. They just kept going up so last week I bit the bullett and bought six tickets R/T on Delta @286.60 each. This week I looked it up again, bad mistake, Because they are now 266.60 I know thats not a huge deal but it is 120.00 I called the Delta number and between my strong accent and his strong accent I really don't know if I got the right impression on this subject. To make any change Delta is going to charge me 50.00 per ticket? Plus I won't get a refund of the difference, not that there would be one in my current case after the 50.00 fee. But I would get a credit to use on a later flight if there is a credit. Did I understand this correctly? Can they do that? I really feel like I am being punished for purchasing my ticket early. Thanks for any help.

I know that in the past with Continental I have been able to get a credit voucher for the price difference on non-refundable tickets. You can only do it once, so if the price goes down again they won't issue a further credit voucher.

I went onto Delta's website and I found this information,

"If I have purchased a ticket and a new fare is introduced, can I obtain a credit?
Yes, in many cases you may obtain a credit voucher (non-refundable tickets) or refund (refundable tickets) at any Delta airport ticket counter, City Ticket Office location, or over the phone (e>tickets only) for the difference in fare. A fee will apply for non-refundable tickets.

When we introduce new fares or reduce a current fare in a particular market, you may change a ticket to the new fare if:

The change is made prior to departure
You do not change the flight, date, origin, destination or stopover points
Reservations are confirmed in the appropriate class of service
All fare restrictions are met
The lower fare is not a special delta.com only fare
Any applicable penalties are retroactive to the new fare ticket."

Try calling again, or maybe send an email to see if you can receive a credit voucher, and then you can apply the voucher towards a future flight.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Jetblue also does not charge any fees and will give you a credit with them to use within a year.
I could swear I also got a credit with Delta several years ago when prices went down but now I'm wondering after reading this thread.

Yes, you did get a credit a few years ago. Unfortunately, Delta changed their policy on a number of ticket-related issues in July 2005 - around the 27th or 17th, I don't remember exactly. This included charging a fee to credit non-refundable tickets if the price drops (even with no itinerary change) and no longer 'holding' a fare for 24 hours or until 10 PM to midnight of the day after you call. They now, in place of the hold, allow you to cancel most tickets within 24 hours of purchase and will credit your charge card.
JetBlue apparently does not charge for crediting fare changes, and according to my boss, neither does American... although if you think about it, they'd be within their rights. I mean, when the fare goes up they don't charge us extra, right?

"If I have purchased a ticket and a new fare is introduced, can I obtain a credit?
Yes, in many cases you may obtain a credit voucher (non-refundable tickets) or refund (refundable tickets) at any Delta airport ticket counter, City Ticket Office location, or over the phone (e>tickets only) for the difference in fare. A fee will apply for non-refundable tickets.

I highlighted the vital part of Delta's policy on crediting fare drops, to avoid (or at least reduce) confusion Thanks for doing the research, Oreo Cookie!